West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition

National Rural Health Association Joins Back-to-School Effort

As families get their children ready for a successful school year, the National Rural Health Association is pleased to join leading health experts and other organizations to encourage parents of uninsured children to apply for health care coverage through Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) as part of the Covering Kids program.
"All children deserve to be healthy and ready to learn when they arrive for the first day of school," NRHA President Wayne Myers, MD said. "This program helps ensure each child, regardless of their demographics, will have access to health insurance and the health services they need."
"Since nearly 24 percent of rural children live in poverty, I am hopeful this program will help bring health coverage to our rural families who need it most," Myers said.
The NRHA is a national partner of the Covering Kids & Families initiative.
The NRHA is a national nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of rural Americans and to provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education and research. The NRHA membership is made up of a diverse collection of individuals and organizations.

CHIP Enrollment Peaks at 22,000

In September 2003, the WVCHIP reached its highest enrollment level to date with 22,000 children enrolled. Medicaid has also been very successful in the number of children enrolled in September. "The numbers are most likely a reflection of the state’s weak economy and the increasing costs of private coverage," according to Renate Pore, co-chair of the WV Healthy Kids and Families Coalition. They also reflect the good work that the Coalition’s community partners are doing in reaching out to children and families and improved understanding of the program in local offices of the Department of Health and Human Resources.

WVCHIP Receives Additional $18 Million

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare have awarded the West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program an additional $18 million to be spent on children’s health coverage during the federal fiscal year 2004. These dollars are in addition to the state’s regular SCHIP allotment for FY 2004. These additional dollars help to assure the fiscal soundness of the WVCHIP into the future.

Mark your Calendars Now for February 18, 2020!

We invite you to join child advocates from around the state at the West Virginia State Capitol to rally, advocate, and problem-solve on behalf of all of West Virginia’s children! For more information, please contact the Coalition for West Virginia’s Children at (304) 342-6972 or visit www.coalitionwvchildren.org.

Phone: 304-345-6349
Fax: 304-345-6620
Email:jgreathouse@wvhealthykids.org
Email: renatepore@wvhealthykids.org